Goals and Student Outcomes: Psychology

Department Goals and Objectives

Goals are broad statements that describe what the program wants to accomplish

Upon completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology, students will broadly:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence that form the core of the field, and methodological approaches for independent research, for at least 4 of the following areas taught in the Department. Note that all students take at least 1 course in basic processes and 1 course in social processes:

  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Clinical Neuropsychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Cultural Psychology
  • Decision Making
  • Developmental Psychology (Child, Adolescent, Adult)
  • Emotion - Psychology and Law

  • Psychology of Aging
  • Psychology of Stereotyping/ Prejudice
  • Psychology of Women
  • Psychology of Work and Family
  • Research Methods & Statistics (Required for all majors)
  • Social Neuroscience
  • Social Psychology

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes describe specific knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes students should demonstrate

  • SLO1: Students will describe critical importance of scientific approaches to human mental processes and behavior.
  • SLO2: Students will describe core psychological theories and the evidence supporting them.
  • SLO3: Students will demonstrate ability to design, perform, and evaluate research projects.
  • SLO4: Students will identify and apply research ethics, both in terms of human participants' protection and in terms of scientific communication.
  • SLO5: Students will form a written scientific argument in support of a scientific thesis by marshaling the available evidence, both for and against.
  • SLO6: Students will relate psychology to contemporary issues, including those with relevance to women as individuals and as members of society.
  • SLO7: Students will design, carry out, and report an independent research project.
  • SLO8: Students will use computer software to conduct statistical analyses.
  • SLO9: Students will write thesis-driven and evidence-based manuscripts in the style of the American Psychological Association.
  • SLO10: Students will make public presentations, drawing on theory and evidence, in support of a scientifically informed theory/thesis in psychology.